Car-roof.



' J. F. McKNlGHT.

CAR ROOF.

AVPLICATION FILED JULY 3. 1915.

Patented Feb. 8, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

' J. F. McKNIGHT.

CAR ROOF.

APPLlCATlON FILED JULY 3,1915.

Patented Feb. 8, 1916;

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

MAN

1. F. McKNIGHT.

CAR ROOF.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 3,1915.

' Patented Feb P, 1916 mmsm.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

fl. FRIIIH I L n M M a r n fiaveizi' aidwj jf fi i H. m

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JOHN, F. MGKNIGHT, OF ST. LOUIS, MIS$OURL ASSIGNOIR T AMERICA CAR AND FOUNDRY COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

CAR-ROOF.

Specification of Letterslatent.

Patented Feb. 8, i816.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN F. MCKNIGHT,

- residing at 915 Olive street, St. Louis. Missouri, and being a citizen of the United States, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Car-Roofs, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact descrip tion, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make andto use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the preferred form of the invention, though it is to be understood that the invention. is not limited to the exactdetails of'construction shown and described, as it is obvious that various modifications thereof will occur to persons skilled in the art.

In said drawings: Figure 1 is a cross section of that portion of mv improved car roof which extends from the side plate to the running board, the unshown portion cor responding to that portion illustrated. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the portion of the roof shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged section taken longitudinally of the roof on line 33 of Fig. 1'. 4 is a side elevational view of a POItlOIlrOf the roof and the running board. Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevation, illustrating the connection between the side plate of a car and a pair of roof sections at a joint of the latter. Fig. 6 is a section on line (3-6 of Fig. 5. Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are sections on the lines 77., 88 and 99. respectively, of Fig. 6, arrows denoting the directions of vision. Fig. 10 illustrates a modified form of roof. Fig. 11 is a longitudinal section therethrough, and is taken on line 11-11 of Fig. 10; and Fig. 12 is a. plan view of portions of the roof shown in Fig. 10.

My present invention relates to metallic roofs, and particularly to what is known as all steel roofs, it being my purpose to pr0- duce a roof of this kind which shall be characterized bv such rigidity, in a direction from one side plate to the other of the car carrying it, that spreading of the car sides is prevented, and so that the roof will support its own weight and that of trainmen having occasion to be upon it. Notwithstanding its rigidity. it is so designed as to have the quality of lightness. Anoth er desirable property it possesses is its fieXlbllliiy from end to end of the car, due to the ire "ing motions of the car herent properties of the metal from which the roof sheets are formed and the relation of the parts within their lapping portions, lay which it accommodates itself to the weavbody when the car 1s in transit. Y

In my improved roof there are no perforations for bolts or rivets whichwill allow water to seep through and damage the contents of the car, or through which water may find its way to rust and disintegrate the means for securing roof sections together. And, in adapting the roof to protect itself from the results of inclement weather, and other moisture-producing conditions, provi- S1011 is made for draining all of the joints between roof sections.

An advantageous feature is that part of the design of the roof sheets and the relation of the latter to the side plates of the car, which gives ventilating communication between the interior of the car and the exterior, making the transportation of perishable lading feasible.

Other advantages not specificallv men tioned. but becoming manifest hereinafter, are all to be considered as coming within the scope of the present invention.

Referring in detail to the parts, 1 indicates the side plate of a railwav car. it being understood that two such side plates are present in the car superstructure carrying the roof, each extending longitudinally along the upper side edges of the super structure and on opposite sides of thecar. as is common in'car construction. Side plate 1 is shown as being a commercial 2- bar, but it mav be a pressing or :1 rolled or pressed siape ofv other form. Roof plates 2., successivelv arranged longitudinally of the car and interlocking with each other, extend transversely of the car from one side plate 1 to the other (not shown) on the op posite side of the Each plate 2 constitutes a roof section and between the s de plates is preferably. but not necessarilv, z-rrcuateand is downturned at said side plates.

One edge of each roof section or plate that extends transversely of the roof is pressed to form a channel 4, and the opposite transversely disposed edge is pressed to form a. channel 3. extending outwardly from and parallelin hich is a flange 6. Channel 1 preferably approximates the cross sectional contour of channel 3,-but is of slightly larger dimensions, so that channel 3 of one roof section may fit into channel 4: at the adjacent edge of the adjoining roof section, flange 6, projecting from the embraced channel 3,lapping the top of the next roof section 2.

The pairs of fitted or interlocking channels 3 and 4 are illustrated as being co-extensive with those edges of the roof sections or plates which lie transversely of the roof, and they assume the functions of carlines. Associated channels 3 and 4 thus create carlines formed by interlocking portions of adjoining roof sections, the carlines manifestly being integral parts of said root sections or plates. Due to there being no riveting of the overlapping and interlocking portions of adjoining roof sections to each other, the channels 3 and 4 forming. each carline, are flexible and self-adjustable .to each other to whatever degree is required by the weaving motions of the car when it is traveling. For the same reason there is flexibility in the roof from one end thereof to the other.

The plates constituting the roof sections 2 usually areiheavier or thicker than those commonly used for steel roofs, giving adequate strength to the carlines formed'by channels 3 ,and 4 and to the main body portion between said channels, making said roof sections self-sustaining between the car side plates 1. Though very strong, the comparatively few parts that form the roof, and, in the preferred form, the elimination of a roof frame separate from the roof plates, and ordinarily present in cars, gives a highly desirable lightness to the roof.

Notwithstanding the lack of the riveting of associated channels 3 and 4 together and their flexibility, there is small likelihood of an appreciable amount of water resulting from rain, melting snow or other sources, working its way underneath flanges 6 of roof plates 2. But, in case of a less perfect fit, for any reason, between. lapping roof plates 2 than that indicated in the drawings, or, when there is an abnormally heavy downpour of rain, for example, no water can seep through and damage the contents of the car, and there are no rivets uniting channels 3 and 1 about which erosive action might be stimulated and disintegration set in.

Drainage of all joints between roof sections is provided for, so that any amount of water finding its way under flanges 6 01": the roof plates will be discharged over the sides of the car. As best seen in Figs. 6, 8 and 9, channels 4; are each furnished with a draina 'e corrugation 5 which extends across the r o of to points a little above the side plates 11" Discernible in Fig. 6, corrugation 5 through gations ceases t these points, the depending end portions of channel 4:, each having a flat bottom which bears against the web of one of the side plates 1. In proximity to and beginning above the points of termination of the ends of corrugations 5 in channels 4, corrugations 7 begin in the end portions of the outer and embraced channels 3, and each corrugation 7 extends downwardly to the lower flange of one of the side plates 1.

The lower ends of corrugations 7 are cut away, the beveling of their lower ends, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, illustrating a good mode of so doing, to supply exits from the drain passages formed by corrugations 5 and 7, and which passages extend without obstruction through the carline-forming joints of roof sections 2 from'side to side of the car. The flow of any water that may have penetrated the joint between any plate 2 and the flange 6 lapping it uninterruptedly traverses the drain passage and escapes the exits at the bottom of corru- 7. The flat bottom or the back-of e'ach depending end portion of each channel 4: bears against the-outer face of one of the side plates 1, separating or spacing the main portion of the roof section or plate 2 from the web of said side plate, the roof'sections 2 extending to the bottom flanges of side plates 1 on opposite sides of the car, and being supported thereby. The roof is secured in place by bolts or rivets 8, which pass through the main part of the roof sections 2 and the web of the adjacent side plate 1. Where these bolts 8 occur, the roof plate 2 and the web of the side plate 1 are spaced from each other by fillers 9, each having flanges 10, hearing against roof sections '2, and a lip 11, which bears on top of side plate 1 and prevents rotation of the filler. The spacing of the roof sections 2 between associated channels 8 and 4 from the webs of the side plates 1, forms ventilating chambers B opening to the car interior over the top of the side plates, which chambers communicate with the exterior through notches 12 in the bottom of the roof sections 2.

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 3, a saddle clip 13 is secured to flange 6 of the roof section or plate 2 by rivets 17 which are countersunk in flange 6, and do not extend into and connect the part of the adjacent roof section 2 underlying flange 6 to that flange.

A running board saddle 16 is bolted to an.

upstanding flange of saddle clip 13 and supports a running board.

Referring to Figs. 10, 11 and 12, a modified form of roof is illustrated, in which a sub-framing, comprising carlines 14, attached to "the side plates 1, and purlins 15, support the roof plates, thereby permitting the use of much lighter plates. As shown in Fig. 11, there are depressions 18in the nrroeao roof plates :2 is upturned at 6"- where it passes under the running board, at the center of the car .in this modification of the roof, and the running board-supporting saddle 16 is bolted to it. It is also to be noted that, as in the type of roof first described, no bolts or rivets secure adjoining roof plates 2 to each other, the interlocking channels 3 and 4 holding the sheets securely together and forming a flexible but practically weather proof joint. The roof sheets are secured to the side plates 1 by bolts or rivets 8 only sufficiently toprevent their separating from the car. Also, throughout their width each sheet is rigid enough to maintain its own shape and prevent the spreading of the car sides, while the joints between root sections or plates 2 allow a transverse motion to accommodate the uneven strains due to the twisting or Weaving motion of the car body. In other respects, the rool'conforms to the construction of that shown in Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive.

The root herein disclosed is simple to manufacture and assemble, and is weatherproof, self-sustaining and inexpensive. It also adapts the car to which it is applied to transport perishable lading, and is applicable to many types of cars. The side plates 1 are illustrated as of Z-shape in cross section though it is to be understood that any form of side plate which is provided with a vertical web or flange positioned in the plane able to employ such vertical web or flange Thus it I and connect the roof sheets thereto. will be evident that, in the preferred. form, the top flange of the z shaped side plate may be omitted while in the form shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 152 the top flange 1 is essential, if it is desired to rest the carlines thereon as illustrated.

What I claim is:

1. In a car roof, a plurality of slelf-snstaining metallic roof plates comprising main body portions and lapping edge portions, said edge portions of adjoining plates flexibly interlocking and being shaped to form roof sustaining members in combination with a side plate of Z-shape with which said plates are connected, but over which said roof plates extend without support from the upper portion thereof.

2. In a car roof, side plates each having a vertical portion and a roof plate support at its bottom portion, a plurality of sell-ens taining metallic roof plates adapted to ex tend across a car and to said roof plate supports and being secured to said. side plates, said roof plates clearing the tops of said side plates and each having a main body portion and a plurality of edge portions lapping others of said roof plates, said edge portions of adjoining roof plates interlocking and being shaped to form carline-like inem bers extending to the roof plate supports of said side plates.

3. In combination in a car roof, successively arrangedself-sustaining metallic roof plates, each plate having a relatively smooth I body portion and lapping edge portions, the

latter having channeled depressions, the channeled depressions of ad oining roof plates fitting into each other without attach ment and flanges within the lapping portions projecting from fitted channeled depression portions over said body portions of adjacent roof'plates.

4. In combination in a car roof, successively arranged self-sustaining metallic roof plates having body portions and depressed channeled portions, the channeled portions of adj acent plates fitting into each other without attachment to each other and flanges projecting from fitted channeled portions lapping said body portions of adjoining roof plates.

In combination in a car roof, metallic roof plates adapted to span the sides of a car and having flexibly interconnected depressed channel portions lapping and con forming to the adjacent contour of adjoining roof plates, and means adapted for the attachment thereto of a running board sad dle extending from said lapping and conforming portions of said roof plates.

r 6. In combination in a car roof, metallic roof plates having flexibly interconnected portions and other portions extending from some of the portions that interconnect, said extending portions lapping adjacent roof 8. In combination in a car roof, side plates, lapping metallic roof plate extending over the side plates, there being channeled portions in adjacent edges of adjoining roof plates, a channeled portion or each lapping roof plate fitting; into a channeled portion of the adjoining roof plate, a

pression-forming portion in the fitting channeled portion 01 one roof plate and extending between said side plates to points adjacent them, and depression-forming portions in the associated channeled portion of the other roof plate creating with the depression-forming portion of the first mentioned channel portion a continuous open ended passage for discharging water over said side plates.

9 In combination in a car roof, side plates, successively arranged self-sustaining metallic roof plates extending over the side plates and being supported on flanges thereof, and flexible joints connecting said roof plates and bearing against the side plates, said roof plates being apertured near their places of support and forming with said side plates between said flexible joints ventilating chambers communicating with the interior and exterior of the car. j 10. In combination in a car roof, side plates, successively arranged self-sustaining metallic roof plates extending over the side plates and being supported thereby, flexible joints connecting said roof plates and bearing against the side plates, non-rotative spacing devices separating said roof and side plates between said flexible joints and means clamping the spacing devices and roof and side plates together, whereby ventilating chambers are formed between said roof plates and side plates.

11. In combination in a car roof, side plates having bottom flanges, successively arranged metallic roof plates extending over the side plates and supported thereby, depressed joints connecting said roof plates and bearing against said side plates, portions of the roof plates between said joints being spaced from said side plates, said bottom side plate flanges closing the spaces between the lower portions of said roof plates and side plates and communicating passages between the exterior and said spaces and the latter and the interior of a car. 7

12. In combination in a car roof, side plates having bottom flanges, connected roof plates extending over said side plates, spaced from portions of the latter and supported thereby, said bottom flanges closing the bottoms of the spaces between said roof plates and side plates and ventilation passages from the exterior to said spaces and from the latter to the interior of a carI 13. In combination in a car roof, Z-shaped side plates, successively connected roof plates extending over said side plates to form passage-ways over the same and having portions spaced from the web portions of the side plates, the bottom flanges of said Z-shaped side plates closing the bottoms of the spaces between the roof and side plates, and ventilation passages through the roof plates within the zone of said spaces.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN F. MOKNIGIIT. Witnesses:

OSCAR HOCHBERG, RODNEY BEDELL. 

